Antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating systems

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatings systems including an antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition capable of reducing and/or preventing gram positive and gram negative bacterial growth on floors. Also disclosed is an antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover being readily capable of removing the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating as desired from previously treated flooring surfaces. In certain aspects, the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatings can include a cationic acrylic polymer; a nonionic wax; and a cationic alkyl biguanide or salt thereof. The antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating may further include a cationic wax that further stabilizes the system during storage, application, and/or post-application to a floor surface. The antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition has a pH of less than 7 while exhibiting continuous antimicrobial properties from full cure on a floor surface up to 1 year post-application to the floor surface at a minimum contact time of 1 hour.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of floor coatingsystems, and more particularly, to antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoatings capable of reducing and/or preventing gram positive and gramnegative bacteria growth for extended time periods on flooring surfacesfor pedestrian traffic. Also disclosed are compositions for removingthese antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatings as desired by a user ofthe system.

BACKGROUND

U.S. Pat. No. 8,124,169 discloses an antimicrobial coating system thatcan be applied to “high touch” surfaces including, for example,counters, tables, and sinks to temporarily disinfect these surfaces byreducing microbial growth. However, these formulations are susceptibleto removal by slight and/or moderate frictional forces. Thus, theformulations disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,124,169 have at best temporaryantimicrobial activity, but should not be applied to floors due to highpedestrian traffic volume and frictional forces applied thereto thatwould easily remove these formulations thereby limiting and/or greatlyreducing antimicrobial efficacy.

In contrast to the formulations disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,124,169that can merely withstand slight and/or moderate frictional forces,certain floor coating compositions utilize prepolymers, cross-linkingagents, and antimicrobial agents (e.g., including ionic zinc, silver,and/or copper) that polymerize and/or cross-link when applied toflooring surfaces thereby forming a more permanent coating than thosedisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,124,169. Even though these systems formpermanent coatings, these systems may lose antimicrobialproperties/efficacy over time, which leads to an increased presence ofgram positive and/or gram negative bacteria (e.g., pathogenic grampositive and/or gram negative bacteria) over time. Thus, even thoughthese formulations are supposedly permanent, these coatings should beremoved and re-applied periodically to adequately control and/or preventmicrobial growth on surfaces to which these formulations are applied.However, due to the above mentioned polymerization and/or cross-linkingprocesses, removal of these permanent floor systems is very difficult,dangerous, and labor intensive—often requiring application of strongsolvent stripping solutions (e.g., highly basic stripping solutions thatre-liquefy the coatings) and/or physical grinding processes.

In addition, to the above mentioned problems associated with currentantimicrobial compositions, many of the coating formulations known inthe art further include unfavorable chemistry that may counteract theantimicrobial agent(s) thereby greatly reducing and, in some instances,even eliminating the antimicrobial properties associated with theseformulation's antimicrobial agent.

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating systems including (1) an antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating composition for application to floors and (2)a solution for removing the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating asdesired. These systems are specifically formulated to overcome the abovementioned problems. These antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating(s) canpreferably withstand high frictional forces associated with heavypedestrian traffic volume on a flooring surface while concurrentlyproviding extended antimicrobial properties/efficacy thereby preventingand/or reducing gram positive and/or gram negative bacteria growth onthese high traffic surfaces for extended periods of time. Theseantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating(s) are also considerably easierto remove than the above mentioned permanent floor coatings due to thelack of polymerizable prepolymers, cross-linking agents, or acombination thereof. As disclosed further below, the system alsoincludes a solution for removing the antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating from a treated floor as desired. This antimicrobial sacrificialfloor coating remover is preferably an acidic solution that intercalatesand swells the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating during apredetermined dwell time thereby allowing for removal of theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating from a floor surface viasubsequent scrubbing or use of a low speed floor machine (i.e.,application of physical/mechanical force).

A first object of the present invention is consequently an antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating composition(s) comprising a cationic acrylicpolymer; a nonionic wax; a cationic wax; and an antimicrobial agent thatincludes a cationic alkyl biguanide or salt thereof, wherein theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition has a pH of lessthan 7. Preferably, the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingcomposition according to the invention is an aqueous solution. Theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition is adapted to cureon a floor surface in about 30 to 60 minutes at a humidity ranging from20% to 80% thereby forming a clear (e.g., transparent and/ortranslucent), thin film coating on the floor that exhibits continuoussanitization (i.e., antimicrobial properties) from full cure on thefloor surface up to 6 months post-application (or in certain instancesup to 1 year post-application) on floor surfaces having light, moderate,and heavy pedestrian traffic. In certain aspects, the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating composition is adapted to exhibit a logreduction from 3.3 to 5.75 for gram negative bacteria (e.g., E. coliand/or P. aeruginosa, etc.) and a log reduction from 3.11 to 6.3 forgram positive bacteria (e.g., S. aureus) at 1 hour post application of abacterial inoculum, 2 hours post application of a bacterial inoculum, 4hours post application of a bacterial inoculum, 6 hours post applicationof a bacterial inoculum, and/or 24 hours post application of a bacterialinoculum to a floor surface having the antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating composition applied (cured) thereon. As alluded to above, thecoating composition is adapted to exhibit these antimicrobial propertiesfrom full cure on the floor surface preferably up to 6 months and morepreferably up to 1 year at a minimum contact time of one hour on thecured coating. In other words, the coating composition kills at least99% and more preferably at least 99.9% of gram positive and gramnegative bacteria when in contact with the cured coating for at leastone hour. In certain aspects, antimicrobial activity of the clear (e.g.,transparent and/or translucent), thin film coating formed by theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition to the floor isbased on the resulting clear, thin film having a thickness ranging from0.2 mils to 1.1 mils, more preferably from 0.25 mils to 0.7 mils. Theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating compositions may further includevarious additives and diluents including, for example, water, coalescingsolvents, wetting agents, leveling agents, or any combination thereof.It should be further noted that these antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating composition(s) preferably maintain stability (e.g., no orlimited viscosity increases—preferably maintaining a viscosity rangingfrom 3 to 6 cP, antimicrobial activity, etc.) when exposed to hightemperatures for prolonged periods of time (e.g., exposed to 120° F. for20, 30, or 40 days) and further maintain such stability during andpost-application to a floor. An antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingcomposition of the invention is in particular heat stable and maintainsa viscosity ranging from 6 to 6 cP when exposed to 120° F. for 20 to 30days. Post-application to the floor, these compositions immediatelybegin reducing growth and/or preventing growth of gram positive and gramnegative bacteria and exhibit continuous antimicrobial efficacy/growthinhibitory activity for extended periods of time. For example, incertain aspects, the disclosed antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingcompositions exhibit and maintain antimicrobial efficacy for at leastone month, preferably at least two months, preferably at least threemonths, more preferably at least four months, even more preferably up tosix months, and most preferably up to 1 year post-application onflooring surfaces having light, moderate, and heavy pedestrian traffic.Because the disclosed antimicrobial floor coating is a sacrificialcoating, longevity of the antimicrobial properties is dependent ontraffic volume and maintenance. In a particular embodiment, theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition of the inventionconsists of a cationic acrylic polymer at a concentration ranging from30 to 40 wt % of the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingcomposition; a nonionic wax at a concentration ranging from 2.5 to 8 wt% of the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition; a cationicwax at a concentration ranging from 2.5 to 8 wt % of the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating composition; an antimicrobial agent thatincludes a cationic alkyl biguanide or salt thereof, the antimicrobialagent being present at a concentration of up to 4 wt % of theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition; water at aconcentration ranging from 30 to 65 wt % of the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating composition; and at least one additive,wherein the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition has a pHof less than 7.

In certain aspects, the nonionic wax is a nonionic alkylene polymerand/or emulsions including the nonionic alkylene polymer. The nonionicwax is in particular a nonionic alkylene polymer. The nonionic alkylenepolymer may be polyethylene or derivative thereof, polypropylene orderivative thereof, or a combination thereof. For example, the nonionicalkylene polymer may be a nonionic oxidized polyethylene, a nonionicoxidized polypropylene, or a combination thereof.

In certain aspects, the nonionic wax may be a high density nonionicalkylene polymer. Accordingly, the nonionic wax can for example be highdensity polyethylene, high density polypropylene, or a combinationthereof. The high density polyethylene can preferably be a nonionicoxidized high density polyethylene, and the high density polypropylenecan preferably be a nonionic oxidized high density polypropylene. Anonionic wax according to the invention can in particular be a highdensity polyethylene or derivative thereof, high density polypropyleneor derivative thereof, or a combination thereof, more particularly anoxidized high density polyethylene.

In certain aspects, the nonionic wax may be present in the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating composition at a concentration of between 2 wt% and 12 wt %, more preferably between 2.5 wt % and 8 wt %, and mostpreferably from 2.75 wt % to 4 wt % of the antimicrobial sacrificialfloor coating composition. For example, high density polyethylene, highdensity polypropylene, or a combination thereof may be used in thedisclosed formulations at a concentration between 2 wt % and 12 wt % ofthe overall composition. In certain preferred aspects, the nonionic waxis high density polyethylene (e.g., nonionic oxidized high densitypolyethylene) at a concentration of between 2 wt % and 12 wt %, morepreferably between 2.5 wt % and 8 wt %, and most preferably from 2.75 wt% to 4 wt % and has a molecular weight ranging between 9,000-10,000g/mol. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment, the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating composition of the invention is such that thenonionic wax is an oxidized high density polyethylene and is at aconcentration of between 2.5 wt % and 8 wt % of the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating composition and has a molecular weight rangingbetween 9,000 to 10,000 g/mol.

In certain aspects, the cationic wax is a cationic alkylene polymerand/or an emulsion including the cationic alkylene polymer. The cationicwax is in particular a cationic alkylene polymer. For example, thecationic alkylene polymer may be cationic oxidized alkylene(s) and/oremulsions including cationic oxidized alkylene(s). The cationic alkylenepolymer may preferably be an oxidized polyethylene, oxidizedpolypropylene, or a combination thereof. In certain aspects, thecationic wax is an emulsion including high density oxidized polyethylenewax. In preferred embodiments, the cationic alkylene polymer is anoxidized high density polyethylene, an oxidized high density oxidizedpolypropylene or a combination thereof.

In certain aspects, the cationic wax may include a cationic emulsion ofan oxidized high density alkylene polymer. Accordingly, the cationic waxcan for example be high density polyethylene, high densitypolypropylene, or a combination thereof. The cationic alkylene polymercan preferably be a cationic oxidized high density polyethylene, acationic oxidized high density polypropylene, or a combination thereof.

In certain aspects, the cationic wax may be present in the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating composition at a concentration of between 2 wt% and 12 wt %, more preferably between 2.5 wt % and 8 wt %, and mostpreferably from 2.75 wt % to 5.0 wt % of the antimicrobial sacrificialfloor coating composition. For example, high density polyethylene (e.g.,cationic oxidized high density polyethylene), high density polypropylene(e.g., cationic oxidized high density polypropylene), or a combinationthereof may be used in the disclosed formulations at a concentrationbetween 2 wt % and 12 wt %, preferably between 2.5 wt % and 8 wt %, andmost preferably from 2.75 wt % to 5.0 wt % of the overall composition.In certain preferred aspects, the cationic wax is a cationic oxidized,high density polyethylene at a concentration of between 2.5 wt % and 8wt % and has a molecular weight ranging preferably between 1,000 and50,000 g/mol and more preferably between 5,000 and 15,000 g/mol.Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment, the antimicrobial sacrificialfloor coating composition of the invention is such that the cationic waxis a cationic oxidized high density polyethylene at a concentration ofbetween 2.5 wt % and 8.0 wt % of the antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating composition and has a molecular weight ranging from 1,000 to50,000 g/mol. In certain aspects, the ratio of cationic wax to nonionicwax in the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition rangesfrom 1.25:1 to 1:1.25, more preferably the ratio of cationic wax tononionic wax in the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating compositionis 1:1.

In certain aspects, the cationic alkyl biguanide or salt thereof ispolyhexamethylene biguanide, polyaminopropryl biguanide, or acombination thereof. The cationic alkyl biguanide or salt thereof rangesfrom 0.4 to 1 active wt %, preferably from 0.5 to 0.95 active wt %, morepreferably from 0.6 to 0.95 active wt %, more preferably from 0.65 to0.95 active wt %, and most preferably from 0.74 to 0.95 active wt % ofthe antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition.

In certain aspects, the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingcomposition does not include crosslinking agents and is notpolymerizable during or post-application to the floor surface.

In certain aspects, the cationic acrylic polymer is a non-crosslinked,cationic acrylic polymer.

Another object of the present invention is an antimicrobial sacrificialfloor coating remover for removing the disclosed antimicrobialsacrificial coatings from the floor obtained with an antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating composition according to the invention(flooring surface and/or substrate) as desired by a user of the system.The antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover of the inventioncomprises an organic solvent at a concentration ranging from 17 wt % to30 wt % of the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover; anonionic surfactant at an effective concentration for aiding in wettingand increasing water solubility of the organic solvent in theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover, in particular at aconcentration ranging from 0.5 wt % to 5 wt % of the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating remover; and an organic acid at aconcentration ranging from 1 wt % to 5 wt % of the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating remover, wherein pH of the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating remover is acidic.

In preferred embodiments, the antimicrobial sacrificial coating removerof the invention further comprises water, which may be present at aconcentration ranging from 60 wt % to 80 wt % of the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating remover.

In certain aspects, the pH of the antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating remover ranges from 2 to 3.5.

In certain aspects, the organic acid of the antimicrobial sacrificialfloor coating remover comprises a lower alkyl carboxylic acid moiety. Incertain aspects, the lower alkyl carboxylic acid moiety is R—COOH inwhich R is hydrogen, a linear or branched C1-C6 alkyl, a primaryalcohol, or a secondary alcohol. For example, the organic acid may be,formic acid, acetic acid, propanoic acid or derivatives thereof, butyricacid or derivatives thereof, valeric acid or derivatives thereof, orcaproic acid or derivatives thereof.

In certain aspects, the organic acid of the antimicrobial sacrificialfloor coating remover is preferably propanoic acid or a derivativethereof, preferably lactic acid and more preferably L-lactic acid.

In certain aspects, the organic acid of the antimicrobial sacrificialfloor coating remover is lactic acid, and more preferably, L-lactic acidat a concentration ranging from 1 to 5 wt % of the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating remover.

In certain aspects, the nonionic surfactant of the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating remover comprises a linear alcohol ethoxylate,preferably at a concentration ranging from 0.5 wt % to 5 wt % of theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover.

In certain aspects, the linear alcohol ethoxylate of the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating remover is a C9-C11 linear alcohol ethoxylate.

In certain aspects, the organic solvent of the antimicrobial sacrificialfloor coating remover includes a first organic solvent that is a glycolether at a concentration ranging from 16 to 25 wt % of the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating remover and a second organic solvent at aconcentration ranging from 1 to 7 wt % of the antimicrobial sacrificialfloor coating remover.

In certain aspects, the glycol ether of the antimicrobial sacrificialfloor coating remover is diethylene glycol monobutyl ether. In certainaspects, the second organic solvent included in the organic solvent ofthe antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover isbutan-1-yl-3-hydroxybutanoate. In a particular embodiment, the glycolether of the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover isdiethylene glycol monobutyl ether and the second organic solventincluded in the organic solvent of the antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating remover is butan-1-yl-3-hydroxybutanoate.

In certain aspects, the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating removerhas a zero volatile organic compound content (0 VOC).

Also disclosed is a kit comprising the antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating composition according to the invention and the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating remover according to the invention. In certainaspects, the kit includes the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingcomposition within a first container, and the antimicrobial sacrificialfloor coating remover within a second container. Accordingly, anotherobject of the present invention is a kit comprising an antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating composition according to the invention in afirst container and an antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating removeraccording to the invention in a second container. While stored in thefirst container, these antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingcomposition(s) preferably maintains stability (e.g., no or limitedviscosity increases—the composition preferably maintains a viscosityranging from 4 to 6 cP, no or limited loss in antimicrobial activity,etc.) when exposed to high temperatures for prolonged periods of time(e.g., exposed to 120° F. for 20, 30, or 40 days) and further maintainssuch stability during and post-application to a floor for the timeperiods disclosed herein. The antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingremover is configured to remove the antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating from a flooring surface. Accordingly, another object of thepresent invention is the use of the antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating remover of the invention to remove the antimicrobial sacrificialfloor coating of the invention from a surface post-application of theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating of the invention.

In certain aspects, the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingcomposition(s) of the kit includes a cationic acrylic polymer; anonionic wax; a cationic wax; and an antimicrobial agent that includes acationic alkyl biguanide or salt thereof, wherein the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating composition is an aqueous solution and has apH of less than 7. The antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating isadapted to cure on a floor surface in about 30 to 60 minutes at ahumidity ranging from 20% to 80% thereby forming a clear, thin filmcoating having a thickness ranging from 0.2 mils to 1.1 mils, morepreferably from 0.25 mils to 0.7 mils that exhibits continuoussanitization (i.e., antimicrobial properties) from full cure of thecoating up to 6 months post-application (or in certain instances up to 1year post-application) on flooring surfaces having light, moderate, andheavy pedestrian traffic. Accordingly, another object of the presentinvention is the use of the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingcomposition of the invention in order to form a clear, thin film coatinghaving a thickness ranging from 0.2 mils to 1.1 mils that exhibitscontinuous antimicrobial properties from full cure on a floor surface upto 1 year post-application to the floor surface at a minimum contacttime of 1 hour. The antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating compositionof the invention is moreover adapted to exhibit a log reduction of from3.3 to 5.75 for gram negative bacteria (e.g., E. coli and/or P.aeruginosa, etc.) and a log reduction of 3.11 to 6.3 for gram positivebacteria (e.g., S. aureus) at 1 hour post application of a bacterialinoculum, 2 hours post application of a bacterial inoculum, 4 hours postapplication of a bacterial inoculum, 6 hours post application of abacterial inoculum, and/or 24 hours post application of a bacterialinoculum to a floor surface having the antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating composition applied (cured) thereon. Accordingly, another objectof the present invention is the use of the antimicrobial sacrificialfloor coating composition according to the invention in order to form aclear, thin film coating having a thickness ranging from 0.2 mils to 1.1mils that exhibits continuous antimicrobial properties from full cure ona floor surface up to 1 year post-application to the floor surface at aminimum contact time of 1 hour, wherein the antimicrobial sacrificialfloor coating composition exhibits a log reduction of from 3.3 to 6 forgram negative bacteria and a log reduction of from 3.11 to 6.3 for grampositive bacteria after full cure on the flooring surface and at aminimum contact time of 1 hour with the coating composition. The coatingcomposition preferably kills at least 99% and more preferably at least99.9% of gram positive and gram negative bacteria when in contact withthe cured coating for at least one hour. The antimicrobial sacrificialfloor coating composition in the kit preferably exhibits antimicrobialefficacy for at least one month, preferably at least two months,preferably at least three months, more preferably at least four months,more preferably up to six months, and most preferably up to 1 yearpost-application on flooring surfaces having light, moderate, and heavypedestrian traffic with a minimum contact time of one hour.

In certain aspects, the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating removerof the kit includes an organic solvent at a concentration ranging from17 wt % to 30 wt % of the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingremover; water, in particular at a concentration ranging from 60 wt % to80 wt % of the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover; anonionic surfactant at an effective concentration for aiding in wettingand increasing water solubility of the organic solvent in theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover, in particular at aconcentration ranging from 0.5 wt % to 5 wt % of the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating remover; and an organic acid at aconcentration ranging from 1 wt % to 5 wt % of the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating remover, wherein pH of the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating remover is acidic.

In certain aspects, the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating removeris configured to be diluted with 5 parts water to 1 part antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating remover (working solution/concentration) toremove the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating from a flooringsurface. Accordingly, the previously indicated uses according to theinvention can moreover be such that the antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating remover is adapted for dilution with water at a ratio rangingfrom 1 part antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover to 7 partswater to 1 part antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover to 5parts water, in particular the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingremover is diluted with water at a ratio ranging from 1 partantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover to 7 parts water to 1part antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover to 5 parts water,and is preferably diluted with 5 parts water to 1 part antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating remover. The antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating remover also preferably has high buffering capacity allowing theinitial pH of the concentrated remover to be maintained during and afterdilution with water. For example, after diluting the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating remover with 5 parts water to 1 partantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover (workingsolution/concentration), pH of the working solution ranges from pH 2.0to 3.0, more preferably from pH 2.35 to 2.8, or most preferably from pH2.6 to 2.8.

In certain aspects, the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating removeris configured to intercalate and swell the antimicrobial sacrificialfloor coating within a dwell time ranging from about 5 to about 10minutes post-application to the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating.Accordingly, another object of the present invention relates to the useof the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover of the inventionto intercalate and swell the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingwithin five to ten minutes post-application to the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating while removing the antimicrobial sacrificialfloor coating.

In certain aspects, the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating removeris configured to not re-liquefy the antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating composition while removing antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating composition from the flooring surface. Accordingly, thepreviously indicated uses according to the invention can moreover besuch that the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover of theinvention does not re-liquefy the antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating composition while removing the antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating composition from a surface.

In certain aspects, the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating removerhas a zero volatile organic compound content (0 VOC).

In certain aspects, disclosed is an antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating remover comprising an organic solvent at a concentration rangingfrom 17 wt % to 30 wt % of the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingremover; water at a concentration ranging from 60 wt % to 80 wt % of theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover; a nonionic surfactantat an effective concentration (e.g., 0.5 wt % to 5.0 wt %, 0.4 to 2.0 wt%, etc. of the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover) foraiding in wetting and increasing water solubility of the organic solventin the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover, in particular ata concentration ranging from 0.5 wt % to 5 wt % of the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating remover; and an organic acid at aconcentration ranging from 1 wt % to 5 wt % of the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating remover, wherein the concentratedantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating is preferably adapted fordilution with water at a ratio ranging from 1 part antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating to 7 parts water, more preferably 1 partconcentrated antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating to 5 parts water,and pH of the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover remainsacidic after dilution with water (e.g., pH from 2.0 to 3.0, morepreferably pH from 2.35 to 2.8, or most preferably pH from 2.6 to 2.8).In certain aspects, the nonionic surfactant is present at aconcentration ranging from 0.5 wt % to 5 wt % of the concentratedantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover.

Embodiments of the invention can include one or more or any combinationof the above features and configurations.

Additional features, aspects and advantages of the invention will be setforth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will bereadily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description orrecognized by practicing the invention as described herein. It is to beunderstood that both the foregoing general description and the followingdetailed description present various embodiments of the invention, andare intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding thenature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanyingdrawings are included to provide a further understanding of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter. Itis to be understood that the aspects described below are not limited tospecific compounds, synthetic methods, or uses as such may, of course,vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein isfor the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is notintended to be limiting. However, the invention may be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to therepresentative embodiments set forth herein. The exemplary embodimentsare provided so that this disclosure will be both thorough and complete,and will fully convey the scope of the invention and enable one ofordinary skill in the art to make, use and practice the invention.

In this specification and in the claims that follow, reference will bemade to a number of terms that shall be defined to have the followingmeanings:

It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appendedclaims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referentsunless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Moreover, “mils” is aunit representing a thousandth of an inch, (i.e., 0.001 inches) that canalso be referred to as “thou”. Accordingly, it must be understood in thepresent text that one mil corresponds to 0.0254 millimeters (mm), i.e.to 25.40 micrometers (μm).

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described eventor circumstance can or cannot occur, and that the description includesinstances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances where itdoes not.

As used herein, the term “about” is used to provide flexibility to anumerical range endpoint by providing that a given value may be“slightly above” or “slightly below” the endpoint without affecting thedesired result.

The phrase “sacrificial floor coating composition”, as referred toherein, means a topical coating that protects flooring substrate(s) fromdamage, in particular due to pedestrian traffic. The coating formed bythe sacrificial floor coating composition is not permanent in nature andis designed to be removed and reapplied as dictated by surface wear.Without wishing to be bound by theory, the inventors consider that, whenthe sacrificial floor coating composition is used to protect flooringsubstrate(s) from damage due to pedestrian traffic, the sacrificialcoatings extend the lifespan of floor substrate(s) by absorbingsuperficial traffic and preventing direct damage to the floor substrate.Removal and reapplication of the sacrificial coating restores theflooring substrate(s) appearance without requiring complete flooringsubstrate removal and/or reinstallation. The sacrificial floor coatingcomposition meets at least one of the following ASTM criteria,preferably at least two of the following ASTM criteria, more preferablyat least three of the following ASTM criteria, and most preferably allof the following ASTM criteria: (1) perform as well as commerciallyavailable floor finishes when tested for soil resistance according toASTM D-3206-08 (Standard Method for Soil Resistance of Floor Polishes);(2) exhibit consistent film resistance and/or full recovery for staticand dynamic water spotting according to ASTM D-1793-92 (Standard Methodfor Water Spotting of Emulsion Floor Polishes); (3) rates as “excellent”and/or shows no deterioration of film appearance when tested fordetergent resistance according to ASTM D-3207-92 (Standard Test Methodfor Detergent Resistance of Floor Polish Films); and/or (4) staticcoefficient of friction is equal to or greater than 0.5 as measured byASTM D-2047-11 (Standard Test Method for Static Coefficient of Frictionof Polish-Coated Surfaces as Measured by the James Machine).

The phrase “dwell time” refers to a predetermined time period in whichthe disclosed antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover is appliedto a flooring surface (previously treated with antimicrobial sacrificialfloor coating) in order for the remover to effectively swell theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating thereby allowing for subsequentremoval of the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating from the flooringsurface.

Concentrations, amounts, and other numerical data may be expressed orpresented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such arange format is used merely for convenience and brevity and thus shouldbe interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical valuesexplicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include allthe individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within theranges as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited.As an illustration, a numerical range of “about 1 to 5” should beinterpreted to include not only the explicitly recited values of about 1to about 5, but also include individual values and sub-ranges within theindicated range. Thus, included in this numerical range are individualvalues such as 2, 3, and 4 and sub-ranges such as from 1-3, from 2-4,and from 3-5, etc. as well as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, individually. The sameprinciple applies to ranges reciting only one numerical value as aminimum or a maximum. Furthermore, such an interpretation should applyregardless of the breadth of the range or the characteristics beingdescribed.

The compositions and methods described herein can comprise, consist of,or consist essentially of the essential elements and limitationsdescribed herein, as well as any additional or optional ingredients,components, or limitations described herein.

It is understood that any given particular aspect of the disclosedcompositions and methods can be easily compared to the specific examplesand embodiments disclosed herein. By performing such a comparison, therelative efficacy of each particular embodiment can be easilydetermined. Particularly preferred compositions and methods aredisclosed in the Examples herein, and it is understood that thesecompositions and methods, while not necessarily limiting, can beperformed with any of the compositions and methods disclosed herein.

Disclosed are antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating systems including(1) an antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition forapplication to floors that provide antimicrobialproperties/characteristics to floors for extended time periods (e.g., upto one month, up to two months, up to three months, up to four months,up to six months, up to one year) and (2) a solution for removing theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating as desired. The disclosedantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition(s) are specificallyformulated to be applied and coat floor surfaces and upon curing thereonto withstand high frictional forces associated for example with heavypedestrian traffic volume and regular cleaning on a flooring surfacewhile concurrently providing extended antimicrobial properties/efficacyto at least prevent and/or reduce gram positive and gram negativebacteria growth on these high traffic surfaces for extended periods oftime. These antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating(s) are also easierto remove than currently available permanent floor coatings due to thelack of polymerizable prepolymers, cross-linking agents, etc. and are aseasy to remove as currently available sacrificial floor coatings.Specifically disclosed are antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingcomposition(s) including a cationic acrylic polymer; a nonionic wax; acationic wax; and an antimicrobial agent that includes cationic alkylbiguanide or salt thereof, wherein the antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating composition is an aqueous solution and has a pH less than 7. Theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition is adapted to cureon a floor surface in about 30 to 60 minutes at a humidity ranging from20% to 80% thereby forming a clear (e.g., transparent and/ortranslucent), thin film coating on the floor that exhibits continuoussanitization (i.e., antimicrobial properties) from full cure of thecoating up to 6 months (or even up to 1 year) post-application onflooring surface having light, moderate, and heavy pedestrian traffic.In certain aspects, the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating isadapted to exhibit a log reduction from 3.25 to 6, from 3.25 to 5, from3.3 to 6, from 3.3 to 5, from 3.85 to 6, from 3.85 to 5.9, from 3.85 to5.75, from 3.9 to 5.75, from 4.2 to 5.75, from 4.5 to 5.75, from 4.75 to5.75, from 5 to 5.75, from 5.3 to 5.75, from 4.4 to 5.5, or from 4.6 to4.9 for gram negative bacteria and/or a log reduction from 3.0 to 6.3,from 3.0 to 4.0, from 3.05 to 6.3, from 3.1 to 6.3, from 3.1 to 5, from3.25 to 6.3, from 3.25 to 5.75, from 3.25 to 4.5, from 3.5 to 5.0, from3.5 to 4.5, from 3.75 to 6.0, from 3.75 to 5.0, from 3.75 to 4.5, orfrom 4.0 to 6.0 for gram positive bacteria at 1 hour post application ofa bacterial inoculum, 2 hours post application of a bacterial inoculum,4 hours post application of a bacterial inoculum, 6 hours postapplication of a bacterial inoculum, and/or 24 hours post application ofa bacterial inoculum to a floor surface having the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating composition applied (cured) thereon and up tosix months (or even up to 1 year) post application on flooring surfaceshaving light, moderate, or heavy pedestrian traffic at minimum contacttime of one hour. In certain aspects, antimicrobial activity of theclear, thin film coating formed by the antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating composition post application to the floor is based on theresulting clear, thin film having a thickness ranging from 0.2 mils to1.1 mils, more preferably from 0.25 to 0.7 mils, 0.2 mils to 1.1 mils,from 0.2 mils to 1.0 mils, from 0.25 mils to 0.9 mils, from 0.25 mils to0.8 mils, from 0.3 mils to 0.5 mils, or from 0.3 mils to 0.4 mils. Incertain aspects, the gram negative bacteria disclosed herein include atleast E. coli (e.g., Escherichia coli ATCC 8739) and/or P. aeruginosa(e.g., Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15442), and in certain aspects, thegram positive bacteria disclosed herein include at least S. aureus (e.g.Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538).

Cationic Acrylic Polymer of the Floor Coating

In most traditional floor coatings, anionic surfactants (e.g., anionicacrylates) are used to ensure emulsion stability during and aftermanufacturing at a surfactant load that does not compromise thedurability and performance of the polymers in the coating formulation.However, unlike most traditional floor coatings, the disclosedantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating compositions do not includeanionic acrylate(s) and/or an anionic acrylic polymer(s). Instead thedisclosed compositions utilize a cationic acrylic polymer(s) to ensureoptimal efficacy of the antimicrobial agent(s) (e.g., a cationic alkylbiguanide or salt thereof) included in the disclosed antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating(s) while concurrently minimizing thelikelihood of gradual viscosity increase(s), coagulation, and/or poorfilm formation. In addition to these benefits, including a cationicacrylic polymer in the disclosed antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingcompositions further prevents and/or reduces decreased glossiness and/orwater resistance of these coatings post-application to a floor.

In certain aspects, the cationic acrylic polymer includes, for example,acrylic emulsions such as a waterborne acrylic resin. The cationicacrylic polymer may have a pH of between 3.5 to 4.5 and more preferablya pH of 3.8 to 4.3 before being included in the disclosed antimicrobialsacrificial floor coatings and may further include a minimum filmforming temperature (MFFT) of at least 25° C., more preferably of atleast 28° C., and most preferably of at least 30° C. In certain aspects,the cationic acrylic polymer is a waterborne acrylic resin that isformed at least from polymerized methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomericunits. The cationic acrylic polymer (that includes methyl methacrylate)may either be a linear or branched homopolymer or a co-polymer. Incertain preferred aspects, the cationic acrylic polymer is a co-polymerthat includes polymerized methyl methacrylate and another monomer(preferably styrene monomers) dispersed throughout the backbone of theco-polymer; and in certain aspects, this co-polymer is further includedin an emulsion that is added/mixed with other components of the coatingcomposition when making the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingcompositions. The molecular weight of the cationic acrylic polymer is atleast 460,000 as determined by gel permeation chromatography, and thecationic acrylic polymer is present at a concentration ranging from 30to 40 wt %, from 31.5 to 39 wt %, from 33 to 37.5 wt %, from 34 to 36 wt%, or from 35 to 36 wt % of the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingcompositions. A suitable cationic acrylic polymer to be included in thedisclosed antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition(s) isNeoCryl® XK-30 manufactured by DSM Coating Resins, LLC.

Nonionic Wax of the Floor Coating

In certain aspects, a nonionic wax is included in the disclosedantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating compositions to ensure chemicalcompatibility with the cationic acrylic polymer and to further ensureoptimal efficacy of the antimicrobial agent (e.g., a cationic alkylbiguanide or salt thereof).

The nonionic wax is a nonionic alkylene polymer including, for example,polyethylene or derivative thereof (e.g., oxidized polyethylene),polypropylene or a derivative thereof (e.g., oxidized polypropylene), ora combination thereof. The nonionic wax may more preferably include ahigh density polyethylene or derivative thereof (e.g., a nonionicoxidized high density polyethylene), high density polypropylene orderivative thereof (e.g., a nonionic oxidized high densitypolypropylene), or a combination thereof having a molecular weight from8,000 to 20,000 g/mol, from 8,000 to 17,500 g/mol, from 8,000 to 15,000g/mol, from 8,000 to 12,500 g/mol, from 8,000 to 10,000 g/mol, from9,000 to 18,000 g/mol, from 9,000 to 14,000 g/mol, from 9,000 to 12,000g/mol, from 9,000 to 11,500 g/mol, from 9,000 to 11,000 g/mol, from9,000 to 10,500 g/mol, from 9,000 to 10,000 g/mol, or from 9,000 to9,500 g/mol because these chemistries impart black mark, scuff mark, andmark resistance to the floor finish.

The nonionic wax may be present at a concentration ranging from 2 wt %to 12 wt %, more preferably 2.5 wt % to 8 wt %, and most preferably from2.75 wt % to 4 wt % of the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingcomposition. The nonionic wax most preferably is a high densitypolyethylene (e.g., a nonionic oxidized high density polyethylene) at aconcentration of between 2 wt % to 12 wt %, more preferably 2.5 wt % to8 wt %, and most preferably from 2.75 wt % to 4 wt % and has a molecularweight ranging between 9,000-10,000 g/mol. The above mentioned molecularweight and/or concentration endpoints are important to maintain adequateviscosity while imparting black mark resistance, scuff mark resistance,and mark resistance to the floor finish. If nonionic wax concentrationfalls below the lowest concentration and/or lowest molecular weightendpoints mentioned above, then undesirable loss in mar resistanceoccurs. Thus, including a nonionic wax at concentrations and/ormolecular weights below those mentioned above should be avoided.

A suitable nonionic wax that can be included in the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating composition is Aquacer 8030 and/or Aquacer8059, each manufactured by BYK USA Inc. (CAS-Nos. 68131-39-5 and61791-26-2 respectively).

Cationic Wax of the Floor Coating

Cationic wax is further included in the disclosed antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating compositions. Although antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating compositions may include a cationic acrylicpolymer, a nonionic wax, and an antimicrobial agent including cationicalkyl biguanide or salt thereof while omitting a cationic wax, it shouldbe further noted that the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingcompositions omitting cationic wax may in some instances be susceptibleto heat/temperature instability (e.g., increased viscosity—resulting inviscosities well above 10 cP, 100 cP, or 200 cP, decreased antimicrobialactivity, etc.) especially when subjected to prolonged heat exposureincluding, for example, exposed to temperatures of 120° F. or more forup to 30 days. Thus, to ensure that the antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating compositions maintain adequate stability, viscosity, and/or marresistance during prolonged heat exposure, a cationic wax is preferablyincluded in the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating compositions.

In certain aspects, the cationic wax is a cationic alkylene polymerand/or an emulsion including the cationic alkylene polymer. For examplethe cationic alkylene polymer may include cationic oxidized alkylene(s)and/or emulsions including cationic oxidized alkylene(s). The cationicalkylene polymer may specifically include high or low density oxidizedpolyethylene, high or low density oxidized polypropylene, or acombination thereof. In certain aspects, the cationic wax is an emulsionincluding high density oxidized polyethylene wax. The cationic wax(cationic alkylene polymer and/or an emulsion including the cationicalkylene polymer) preferably has a molecular weight ranging between1,000 to 50,000 g/mol and more preferably between 5,000 to 15,000 g/molbecause these chemistries impart black mark, scuff mark, and markresistance to the floor finish.

In certain aspects, the cationic wax may include an emulsion of acationic oxidized high density alkylene polymer, which includes, forexample, a cationic oxidized high density polyethylene, a cationicoxidized high density polypropylene, or a combination thereof.

In certain aspects, the cationic wax may be present in the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating composition at a concentration of between 2 wt% to 12 wt %, more preferably 2.5 wt % to 8 wt %, and most preferablyfrom 2.75 wt % to 5.0 wt % of the antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating composition. For example, a cationic oxidized high densitypolyethylene, a cationic oxidized high density polypropylene, or acombination thereof may be used in the disclosed formulations having ata concentration between 2 wt % to 12 wt %, preferably 2.5 wt % to 8 wt%, and most preferably from 2.75 wt % to 5.0 wt % of the overallcomposition. In certain preferred aspects, the cationic wax is acationic oxidized, high density polyethylene at a concentration ofbetween 2.5 wt % to 8 wt % of the antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating composition and has a molecular weight ranging between 1,000 to50,000 g/mol and more preferably between 5,000 to 15,000 g/mol. Incertain aspects, the ratio of cationic wax to nonionic wax in theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating ranges from 1.25:1 to 1:1.25,more preferably the ratio of cationic wax to nonionic wax in theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating is 1:1.

A suitable cationic wax that can be included in the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating composition is Aquacer 840 manufactured by BYKUSA Inc. (CAS-No. 61791-26-2).

Antimicrobial Agent of the Floor Coating

The antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating compositions further includean antimicrobial agent to control, reduce, and/or prevent growth of grampositive and/or gram negative bacteria. In particular, the antimicrobialagent includes a cationic alkyl biguanide or salt thereof because of itscharge, antimicrobial efficacy over extended periods of time, andcompatibility with the disclosed cationic acrylic polymer, nonionic wax,and cationic wax. For example, the antimicrobial agent preferablyincludes a cationic alkyl biguanide.

The cationic alkyl biguanides include at least one or more biguanidemoiety according to the following formula:—NH—C(═NH)—NH—C(═NH)—NH—

In the context of the compositions of this invention, the cationic alkylbiguanide is a cationic oligo- or poly alkylene biguanide(s) or saltsthereof or mixtures thereof.

In a most preferred embodiment, the cationic alkyl biguanide is a poly(hexamethylene biguanide) or salt thereof according to the followingformula:—[—(CH₂)₃—NH—C(═NH)—NH—C(═NH)—NH—(CH₂)₃—]_(n)—wherein n is an integer selected from about 1 to about 50, preferablyabout 1 to about 20, more preferably about 9 to about 18, mostpreferably 12 to 15.

More preferably said biguanide antimicrobial agents is a salt of a poly(hexamethylene biguanide) according to the following formula:—[—(CH₂)₃—NH—C(═NH)—NH—C(═NH)—NH—(CH₂)₃—]_(n)—HXwherein n is an integer selected from about 1 to about 50, preferablyabout 1 to about 20, more preferably about 9 to about 18, mostpreferably 11 to 15, and HX is salt component, preferably HCl.

A most preferred cationic alkyl biguanide is poly (hexamethylenebiguanide) hydrochloride (PHMB), wherein in the above formula n=12having a molecular weight of 2850 and is commercially available underthe trade name Vantocil™ P Antimicrobial (EPA Registration No.:1258-1252) from Lonza. The choice of poly (hexamethylene biguanide)hydrochloride, as the most preferred polymeric biguanide antimicrobialfor the compositions of this invention is driven by its unusually goodfilming and streaking properties within the scope of the compositionsdisclosed herein, and by its regulatory status as an approvedantimicrobial active for hard surface cleaning applications in theUnited States. In certain aspects, polyaminopropyl biguanide (PAPB) mayalso be included with PHMB to further increase antimicrobial efficacy.

Typically the compositions herein may comprise up to about 5 wt %,preferably from about 0.01% to about 4.5 wt %, more preferably fromabout 0.02% to about 4.0 wt %, by weight of the total composition of thecationic alkyl biguanide. At the active use levels, followingrecommended product dilution, if any, the compositions herein maycomprise up to about 1 wt %, preferably from about 0.01% to about 1.0 wt%, more preferably from about 0.3% to about 1.0 wt %, more preferablyfrom about 0.4% to 1.0 wt %, more preferably from about 0.45% to 0.95 wt%, even more preferably from about 0.5 to 0.95 active wt %, morepreferably from about 0.6 to 0.95 active wt %, even more preferably fromabout 0.65 to 0.95 active wt %, and most preferably from 0.74 to 0.95active wt % by weight of the total composition of the cationic alkylbiguanide for extend periods of effectiveness against gram positive andgram negative bacteria. The weight percentage of the cationic alkylbiguanide disclosed herein preferably refers to the concentration of theactive amount of cationic alkyl biguanide in the disclosed compositions.

Additives/Diluents of the Floor Coating

In certain aspects, the disclosed compositions include additionaladditives and preservatives, including, for example, wetting agents,leveling agents, and other chemical components for aiding in extendingshelf life of the composition and/or for aiding in desired filmformation during application of the composition to a floor. For example,various siloxanes at concentrations ranging from 0.5 wt % to 5 wt %,from 0.7 wt % to 4 wt %, or from 0.8 wt % to 3 wt % of the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating composition may be used in the disclosedcompositions as wetting agents and/or leveling agents. These siloxanesmore specifically may include a polyether modified siloxane at aconcentration from 0.8 wt % to 1.3 wt % of the antimicrobial sacrificialfloor coating composition, and more preferably at a concentration of0.9-1.0% wt of the total composition to ensure proper flooring substratewetting and leveling, without causing foam formation. In certainaspects, the polyether modified siloxane is a fluorine free,polydimethylsiloxane at a concentration of 0.8 wt % to 1.2 wt % of thetotal composition, and most preferably at a concentration of 0.9-1.0 wt% of the total composition. Examples of polyether modified siloxanesinclude Byk®-3455. Also, as alluded to above, the disclosed compositionsmay further include additional chemical components that aid incoalescing the disclosed compositions, as well as film formation. Forexample, in certain aspects, coalescing solvents such as a hydrophobicglycol ether(s) may be used in the disclosed compositions atconcentrations ranging from 1 wt % to 10 wt %, from 1.5 wt % to 8 wt %,from 2.0 wt % to 7 wt % from 2.0 wt % to 5 wt % of the overallcomposition to obtain the desired coalescing and film formingproperties. Examples of hydrophobic glycol ether include alkyl glycolalkyl ethers such as tripropylene glycol n-butyl ether, propylene glycolphenyl ether, tripropylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol n-butylether, ethylene glycol phenyl ether, and dipropylene glycol n-propylether. In preferred aspects, the disclosed composition at least includestripropylene glycol n-butyl ether at a concentration ranging from 2.0 wt% to 3.0 wt % of the overall composition to impart desired coalescingand film formation properties. Preservatives that aid in providinglong-term composition stability may be further provided atconcentrations ranging from 0.01 wt % to 0.1 wt %, from 0.03 wt % to0.09 wt %, from 0.04 wt % to 0.08 wt % of the coating composition.Examples of the preservatives used in the coating composition includesActicide® CBM 2 (i.e., a mixture of5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (1%) and 2-methyl 4isothiazolin-3-one (5%) and 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one (10%); EPARegistration No. 67071-62) at a concentration ranging from 0.01 wt % to0.1 wt %, from 0.03 wt % to 0.09 wt %, from 0.04 wt % to 0.08 wt % ofthe coating composition. In certain aspects, water is included in theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating compositions at a concentrationranging from 30 to 65 wt %, from 37.5 to 62.5 wt %, from 40 to 60 wt %,from 42.5 to 57.5 wt %, from 45 to 55 wt %, from 45 to 52.5 wt %, orfrom 45 to 50 wt % of the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingcomposition.

pH and Viscosity of the Floor Coating

The disclosed antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating compositions havea pH of about 7 or less, which improves storage stability andantimicrobial agent (e.g., cationic alkyl biguanide) efficacy. It isfound that at a pH higher than about 7 storage instability increaseswhile efficacy of the antimicrobial agent (e.g., cationic alkylbiguanide) decreases. Thus, for at least these reasons, the pH range ofthe antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating compositions is preferably apH from about 0.5 to about 7, more preferably a pH from about 1 to 6,even more preferably a pH from about 3 to 5.5, and most preferably a pHfrom about 4 to 5. The disclosed antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoatings further have a viscosity ranging from 1 cP to 10 cP, preferablyfrom 2.5 cP to 8 cP, and most preferably from 4 to 6 cP. As disclosedherein, the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatings maintain the abovediscussed viscosities even when subjected to high temperatures forprolonged periods of time (e.g., 120° F. for up to 30 continuous days).

Method(s) of Making the Floor Coating

In certain aspect, also disclosed are methods of making theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating compositions. The antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating compositions may be emulsions in which thecationic acrylic polymer is admixed with the nonionic wax, cationic wax,antimicrobial agent and coalescing solvent thereby forming theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition. The cationicacrylic polymer is preferably admixed with the coalescing solvent,nonionic wax, cationic wax, and antimicrobial agent for a sufficienttime period such that each component is homogeneously dispersedthroughout the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating compositions andno precipitate(s) are visibly observable. Homogeneous dispersion of thechemical components in the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingcomposition further ensures that a clear film will form havingsufficient and even thickness (e.g., from 0.2 mils to 1.1 mils, morepreferably from 0.25 mils to 0.7 mils, 0.2 mils to 1.1 mils, from 0.2mils to 1.0 mils, from 0.25 mils to 0.9 mils, from 0.25 mils to 0.8mils, from 0.3 mils to 0.5 mils, or from 0.3 mils to 0.4 mils inthickness) post application to the floor.

Methods of Applying the Antimicrobial Sacrificial Floor Coating

The disclosed antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating compositions maybe applied to floors via synthetic or cotton string mop or microfiberflat mop. Specific flooring surfaces to which these compositions may beapplied include, for example, wood floors, vinyl floors, ceramic floors,natural stone floors, terrazzo floors, cement floors, or other types ofpolymeric composite floors. In certain aspects, the disclosedantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating compositions are applied tofloors having a conventional floor finish as further discussed below inthe Working Examples.

Post application to the floor, these compositions form a clear, thinfilm coating having a film-forming temperature ranging between 0 to 90°C., 10 to 80° C., or 15 to 50° C. When applied to the floor, thesecompositions exhibit a log reduction from 3.3 to 5.75 for gram negativebacteria and a log reduction from 3.11 to 6.3 for gram positive bacteriaat 1 hour post application, 2 hours post application, 4 hours postapplication, 6 hours post application and 24 hours post application to afloor surface. In certain aspects, antimicrobial activity of the clear,thin film coating formed by the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingcomposition post application to the floor is based on the resultingclear, thin film having a thickness ranging from 0.2 mils to 1.1 mils,more preferably from 0.25 mils to 0.7 mils.

Post-application to the floor, these compositions begin reducing growthand/or preventing growth of gram positive and gram negative bacteriaalmost immediately and exhibit antimicrobial efficacy/growth inhibitoryactivity for extended periods of time. For example, in certain aspects,the disclosed antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating compositionsexhibit antimicrobial efficacy for at least one month, preferably for atleast two months, more preferably for at least three months, morepreferably for at least four months, even more preferably for at leastsix months, and most preferably for up to 1 year post-application to afloor. In certain aspects, these compositions preferably reduce and/orprevent Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcusaureus growth for at least between 30 to 90 days and more preferably upto 180 days (i.e., up to 6 months or even up to 1 year).

Antimicrobial Sacrificial Floor Coating Remover

As alluded to above, the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating may beperiodically removed from and reapplied to flooring surfaces as desiredby a user of the system. Thus, disclosed is a solution (antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating remover) for efficiently removing theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating from flooring surfaces asdesired by the user (e.g., at least once a month, once every 2 months,once every 3 months, or once every 4 months, 5 months, or 6 months).

Unlike most conventional stripping solutions, the disclosedantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover is an acidic solutionthat does not remove the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating via anemulsification process (e.g., re-liquefying), but instead, intercalatesand swells the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating thereby makingthe swollen coating susceptible to and/or allowing for mechanicalremoval (e.g., via scrubbing and/or brushing) of the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating from the flooring surface. Also, unlike mostconventional stripping solutions, the disclosed antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating remover includes little and/or preferably novolatile organic compounds (VOCs).

In certain aspects, the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating removerincludes (a) an organic solvent at a concentration ranging from 17 wt %to 30 wt % of the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover; (b) anonionic surfactant at an effective concentration for aiding in wettingand increasing water solubility of the organic solvent in theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover; and (c) an organic acidat a concentration ranging from 1 wt % to 5 wt % of the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating remover. The antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating remover preferably further includes water ranging from 60 wt %to 80 wt %, more preferably from 65 wt % to 77.5 wt %, and mostpreferably from 72 wt % to 76 wt % of the antimicrobial sacrificialfloor coating remover. The individual components of the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating remover and the advantageous properties thateach component imparts are discussed in greater detail below. As alsodiscussed further below, the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingremover may be a concentrated solution configured for dilution to removethe antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating(s) from floor(s). Theconcentrated solution has a pH ranging from 2.0 to 3.0, and morepreferably from pH 2.35 to 2.7. When water is present in theconcentrated solution, the overall actives (i.e., organic solvent,nonionic surfactant, and organic acid) are present from 20 to 30 wt %,more preferably from 22 to 27.5 wt %, and most preferably from 24 to26.5 wt % of the overall concentrated remover while water is presentfrom 70 to 80 wt %, more preferably from 72.5 to 78 wt %, and mostpreferably from 73.5 to 76 wt % of the overall concentrated remover.

Organic Solvent

As alluded to above, the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating removerincludes an organic solvent at a concentration effective to disrupt theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating. The organic solvent is includedin the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover at aconcentration ranging from 17 wt % to 30 wt %, more preferably from 19wt % to 27 wt %, and most preferably from 22 wt % to 24 wt %. Althoughthe remover may include only one organic solvent, in certain aspects,the remover includes a two organic solvent system in which each organicsolvent synergistically interacts with one another to more effectivelydisrupt the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating when compared toonly including a single organic solvent in the remover.

In certain aspects, the first organic solvent included in theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover is a glycol ether or aderivative thereof at a concentration ranging from 16 to 25 wt %, morepreferably from 17 wt % to 23 wt %, and most preferably from 18 wt % to21 wt % of the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover. Theglycol ether or derivative thereof preferably is selected fromdiethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether,ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monopropyl ether,ethylene glycol monoisopropyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether,diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, and/or diethylene glycol monoethylether. In certain aspects, the above mentioned glycol ethers arepreferred because these glycol ethers have higher boiling points thanlower-molecular weight ethers and alcohols but maintain favorablesolvent properties similar to lower-molecular weight ethers. Thus, theglycol ethers of the first organic solvent are stable at ambientconditions and do not readily evaporate from the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating remover, thus providing greater stability andlonger lifespan (shelf life) to the remover. In certain aspects,diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (e.g., Eastman™ DB Solvent CAS No.112-34-5) is particularly preferred as the first organic solvent in theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover at a concentrationranging from 18-21 wt % because concentrations either higher or lower donot provide adequate balance of efficient coating removal and/or machinepad load.

In certain aspects, the second organic solvent of the remover is presentat a concentration lower than the first organic solvent. The secondorganic solvent preferably has high solvent activity while preferablyhaving no or lower vapor pressure VOC emissions. For example, the secondorganic solvent may be present in the remover at a concentration rangingfrom 1 to 7 wt %, 1.5 to 6 wt %, more preferably from 2 to 5 wt %, ormost preferably from 2.5 to 3.5 wt % of the remover. In certain aspects,the second organic solvent is a conjugate base of an organic acidincluding, for example, propionate or derivatives thereof, butanoate orderivatives thereof, or pentanoate or derivatives thereof. Particularlypreferred are butanoate or derivatives thereof includingbutan-1-yl-3-hydroxybutanoate (e.g., Eastman Omnia™ CAS Number:53605-94-0) at a concentration ranging from 2 to 5 wt % or mostpreferably from 2.5 to 3.5 wt % of the remover.

Regarding the above mentioned two organic solvent system, in certainaspects, it is preferred to include diethylene glycol monobutyl ether asthe first organic solvent in the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingremover at a concentration ranging from 19 wt % to 21 wt % of theremover and butan-1-yl-3-hydroxybutanoate as the second solvent in theremover at a concentration ranging from 2.5 to 3.5 wt % of the removerbecause these two solvents cooperatively and synergistically interact todisrupt the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatings disclosed hereinthan when solely using either solvent alone in a remover.

Nonionic Surfactant

The antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating removers further include atleast one nonionic surfactant that preferably has excellent wettingand/or degreasing properties, while also concurrently chemicallyinteracting with and increasing water solubility of the organicsolvent(s) present in the remover. The nonionic surfactant is present ata concentration ranging from 0.2 to 3 wt %, from 0.3 to 2.5 wt %, from0.4 to 2.0 wt %, from 0.45 to 1.75 wt %, or from 0.5 to 1.5 wt % of theremover. Examples of nonionic surfactants include ethoxylated alcohols,carboxylic esters, and/or polyethylene glycol esters.

In preferred aspects, the nonionic surfactant includes an ethoxylatedalcohol that is more specifically a linear alcohol ethoxylate having thefollowing formula:RO(CH₂CH₂O)₁Hwherein R is a linear primary alcohol and n is the total number of molesof ethylene oxide. For example, R includes a linear C9-C15 primaryalcohol and is preferably a C9-C11 primary alcohol while n is either2.5, 6, or 8. In certain aspects, R is preferably a C9-C11 primaryalcohol while n is 6. The above mentioned ethoxylated alcohol(s) furtherincludes a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value of from 8.5 to 14,preferably ranging from 12.2 to 12.6. A suitable ethoxylated alcohol caninclude, for example, Tomdol® 91-6. The above mentioned ethoxylatedalcohols are particularly preferred, especially RO(CH₂CH₂O)_(n)H whereinR is a C9-C11 primary alcohol and n is 6, because of their excellentwetting and/or degreasing properties, while concurrently increasingwater solubility of the disclosed organic solvent(s) in the removerthereby increasing stability and effectiveness of the remover.Organic Acid

The antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover according to theinvention further includes at least one organic acid. Organic acids arepreferred over inorganic acids because organic acids are not as harshand/or corrosive as inorganic acids. The disclosed organic acids furtheradvantageously chemically interact with the organic solvent and nonionicsurfactant to provide a stable antimicrobial sacrificial flooringcoating remover (removing solution) to effectively intercalate and/orswell the antimicrobial sacrificial flooring coating for subsequentremoval of the coating as described further herein. In contrast to thedisclosed organic acids and as further evidence in the Working Examples,antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover(s) of the invention(also termed remover(s) in the present text) including inorganic acidswere partially or completely ineffective for removing the disclosedantimicrobial sacrificial floor coatings.

In certain aspects, the organic acid is included in the remover at aconcentration ranging from 1 to 7 wt %, from 1 to 5 wt %, from 1 to 4 wt%, from 1 to 2.5 wt %, or from 1.2 to 1.9 wt % of the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating remover. The organic acid preferably includesa carboxylic acid moiety (—COOH) and has a pKa ranging from 3.8 to 4.9.In certain aspects, the carboxylic acid moiety is R—COOH wherein R is alinear or branched C1-C6 alkyl, a C1-C6 primary alcohol, or a C1-C6secondary alcohol, For example, the organic acid may include at leastone of the following: formic acid, acetic acid, propanoic acid orderivatives thereof (e.g., lactic acid—2 hydroyxpropanoic acid), butyricacid or derivatives thereof, valeric acid or derivatives thereof, orcaproic acid. In preferred aspects, the organic acid is lactic acidbecause of its compatibility with the disclosed organic solvent(s)(e.g., increases solubility of the organic solvent(s) in the remover)and because of its favorable human health profile. The lactic acid maybe L-lactic acid, D-lactic acid, or racemic mixtures thereof at aconcentration ranging from 1 to 7 wt %, from 1 to 5 wt %, from 1 to 4 wt%, from 1 to 2.5 wt %, or from 1.2 to 1.9 wt % of the remover. Incertain aspects, the organic acid is L-lactic acid being at least 80%,85%, 87.5%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99%, or 99.9% pure at a concentration rangingfrom 1 to 7 wt %, from 1 to 5 wt %, from 1 to 4 wt %, from 1 to 2.5 wt%, or from 1.2 to 1.9 wt % of the remover.

Dilution and Method(s) of Applying Antimicrobial Sacrificial FloorCoating Remover

In certain aspects, the above disclosed antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating remover is a concentrate/concentrated solution having an initialpH ranging from 2.0 to 3.0, more preferably 2.35 to 2.8. Theconcentrated solution preferably includes actives (i.e., organicsolvent, nonionic surfactant, and organic acid) ranging from 20 to 30 wt%, more preferably from 22 to 27.5 wt %, and most preferably from 24 to26.5 wt % of the overall remover while water is present from 70 to 80 wt%, more preferably from 72.5 to 78 wt %, and most preferably from 73.5to 76 wt % of the overall remover.

To obtain a working concentration of the antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating remover having the preferred dwell time (e.g., between 5 to 10minutes) to intercalate, swell, and subsequently remove theantimicrobial sacrificial coating from the floor, the concentratedsolution is first diluted with water and mixed to obtain a homogenousmixture. For example, the dilution may include 1 part concentratedremover to 6 parts water (1:6 dilution), 1 part concentrated remover to5 parts water (1:5 dilution), 1 part concentrated remover to 4 partswater (1:4 dilution) thereby forming a working concentration of theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover. The antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating remover also preferably has high bufferingcapacity allowing the initial pH to be maintained during and afterdilution with water. For example, after diluting the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating remover as discussed immediately above, pH ofthe working solution ranges from pH 2.0 to 3.0, more preferably from pH2.35 to 2.8, or most preferably from pH 2.6 to 2.8. In certain aspects,a 1:5 dilution is preferred because it provides optimum solvency andacid content to attack the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating,while including enough water to slow down evaporation during dwell timeand suspend the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating duringmechanical removal.

After diluting the concentrated remover (e.g., with a 1:5 dilution ofconcentrated remover to water), the diluted remover is applied to aflooring surface that was previously treated with the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating. For example, in certain preferred aspects,the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating (having the thicknesses andantimicrobial properties disclosed herein) had been previously appliedto the floor one month, two months, three months, six months, or up toone year prior to removal. In this example, the diluted remover (workingsolution) is applied to the floor via mopping at a rate of approximately100 sq ft/diluted gallon or diluted remover. After applying the dilutedremover to the flooring surface previously treated with theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating, the diluted remover is allowedto rest/dwell for a predetermined timer period to intercalate and/orswell the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating. For example, incertain preferred aspects, dwell time ranges from 3 to 12 minutes andmore preferably from 5 to 10 minutes. After allowing for adequate dwelltime, the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating swells/is disrupted bythe remover and is susceptible to mechanical/physical removal via, forexample, scrubbing, brushing, and/or a low speed floor machine. Inpreferred aspects, the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating has beencompletely removed by one application of the remover and subsequentapplication of mechanical/physical force. However, if any residualantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remains on the floor and/or ifdesired by the user, the diluted remover may again be re-applied and thesteps discussed immediately above may be repeated to further remove anyresidual antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating.

Following removal of the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating, a newantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating using the formulation disclosedherein may be re-applied. Alternatively and if a conventional floorfinish (e.g., zinc crosslinked floor finish) was below the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating, a conventional floor stripper may then beapplied to strip the conventional floor finish. After stripping theconventional floor finish, the conventional floor finish may bere-applied to the floor and allowed to dry. After drying, theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating may be applied over theconventional floor finish and allowed to dry thereby providing theantimicrobial characteristics to the floor as described herein.

Antimicrobial Sacrificial Floor System Kit

The above disclosed antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating compositionsand the above disclosed antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingremover(s) may be packaged into a kit. Particularly in certain aspects,the kit includes the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating compositionaccording to the invention in a first container and further includes theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover according to theinvention in a second container. The antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating compositions and antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingremover(s) are used as described herein.

WORKING EXAMPLES

The following examples are put forth so as to provide those of ordinaryskill in the art with a complete disclosure and description of how thecompounds, compositions, and methods described and claimed herein aremade and evaluated, and are intended to be purely exemplary and are notintended to limit the scope of what the inventors regard as theirinvention. Efforts have been made to ensure accuracy with respect tonumbers (e.g., amounts, temperature, etc.) but some errors anddeviations should be accounted for. Unless indicated otherwise, partsare parts by weight, temperature is in ° C. or is at ambienttemperature, and pressure is at or near atmospheric.

Antimicrobial Sacrificial Floor Coating Composition

Shown below in Tables 1 and 2 are exemplary antimicrobial sacrificialfloor coating compositions made with the chemical components and methodsdisclosed herein. Also shown below in Tables 3 and 4 are two comparativeformulations (i.e., Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2).

Comparative Example 1 has the same active ingredient as the ExemplaryAntimicrobial Sacrificial Floor Coating Composition in Tables 1 and 2,but includes a standard anionic floor finish polymer system instead ofthe cationic polymer system utilized by Exemplary AntimicrobialSacrificial Floor Coating Composition of Tables 1 and 2. With regard toComparative Example 1, it should be further noted that coagulationoccurred and was immediately visible after adding the PHMB, leading PHMBto settle out of solution quickly. The coating of Comparative Example 1was unable to be applied to a substrate and/or tested for antimicrobialefficacy due to the adverse cationic/anionic reaction of the PHMB andacrylic polymer.

Like Comparative Example 1, Comparative Example 2 also utilized astandard anionic floor finish polymer system, but instead of includingPHMB, Comparative Example 2 included an anionic antimicrobial agent,sodium omadine, which is compatible with anionic polymers. Thesecompositions were tested as discussed further below, but ComparativeExample 2 showed no log reduction at 2 and 6 hours respectivelypost-application to a substrate.

TABLE 1 First Exemplary Antimicrobial Sacrificial Floor CoatingComposition Component wt % Water 48.252 Cationic Acrylic Emulsion²35.922 Nonionic Oxidized High Density 9.709 Polyethylene Emulsion³ Poly(Hexamethylene Biguanide) 2.913¹ Hydrochloride⁴ Tripropylene Glycoln-Butyl Ether 2.233 Polyether Modified Siloxane⁵ 0.971 ¹The activecontent/concentration of Poly (Hexamethylene Biguanide) Hydrochloridewas 0.5826 wt % because the Poly (Hexamethylene Biguanide) Hydrochlorideadded to solution included 80% non-active Poly (Hexamethylene Biguanide)Hydrochloride (e.g., fillers, etc.). Thus, 0.2 (i.e., 20%) × 2.913 =0.5826 wt %. ²The Cationic Acrylic Emulsion used was NeoCryl ® XK-30manufactured by DSM Coating Resins, LLC. ³The Nonionic Oxidized HighDensity Polyethylene Emulsion used was Aquacer 8030 manufactured by BYKUSA Inc. (CAS-No. 68131-39-5). ⁴The Poly (Hexamethylene Biguanide)Hydrochloride used was Vantocil ™ P Antimicrobial (EPA Registration No.:1258-1252) from Lonza. ⁵The Polyether Modified Siloxane used was BYK3455 manufactured by BYK USA Inc.

TABLE 2 Second Exemplary Antimicrobial Sacrificial Floor CoatingComposition Component wt % Water 50.048 Cationic Acrylic Emulsion²35.577 Nonionic Oxidized High Density 3.365 Polyethylene Emulsion³Cationic Oxidized High Density 3.942 Polyethylene Emulsion⁴ Poly(Hexamethylene Biguanide) 3.846¹ Hydrochloride⁵ Tripropylene Glycoln-Butyl Ether 2.212 Polyether Modified Siloxane⁶ 0.962 Acticide ® CBM2(Preservative)⁷ 0.048 ¹The active content/concentration of Poly(Hexamethylene Biguanide) Hydrochloride was 0.7692 wt % because the Poly(Hexamethylene Biguanide) Hydrochloride added to solution included 80%non-active Poly (Hexamethylene Biguanide) Hydrochloride (e.g., fillers,etc.). Thus, 0.2 (i.e., 20%) × 3.846 = 0.7692 wt %. ²The CationicAcrylic Emulsion used was NeoCryl ® XK-30 manufactured by DSM CoatingResins, LLC. ³The Nonionic Oxidized High Density Polyethylene Emulsionused was Aquacer 8059 manufactured by BYK USA Inc. (CAS-No. 61791-26-2).⁴The Cationic High Density Polyethylene Emulsion used was Aquacer 840manufactured by BYK USA Inc. (CAS-No. 61791-26-2). ⁵The Poly(Hexamethylene Biguanide) Hydrochloride used was Vantocil ™ PAntimicrobial (EPA Registration No.: 1258-1252) from Lonza. ⁶ThePolyether Modified Siloxane used was BYK 3455 manufactured by BYK USAInc. ⁷Acticide ® CBM 2 manufactured by Thor Specialties Inc. (EPARegistration No. 67071-62).

TABLE 3 Antimicrobial Test Coating with Anionic Polymer and CationicPHMB (Comparative Example 1) Component wt % Water 44.391 Anionic AcrylicPolymer 38.300 Oxidized Polyethylene 3.853 Styrene/acrylic Copolymer3.468 Diethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether 4.662 Tributoxyethyl Phosphate2.485 Anionic Olefin/Acrylate Graft Polymer 1.387 Emulsion Poly(Hexamethylene Biguanide) 1.000 Hydrochloride Dipropylene GlycolMonopropyl Ether 0.405 Isothiazolin 0.025 Anionic Fluorosurfactant 0.015Silicone Emulsion 0.010

TABLE 4 Antimicrobial Test Coating with Sodium Omadine (ComparativeExample 2) Component wt % Water 43.853 Anionic Acrylic Polymer 37.836Oxidized Polyethylene 3.806 Styrene/acrylic Copolymer 3.426 DiethyleneGlycol Monoethyl Ether 4.605 Tributoxyethyl Phosphate 2.455 AnionicOlefin/Acrylate Graft Polymer 1.370 Emulsion Triethanol amine 0.900Dipropylene Glycol Monopropyl Ether 0.400 Isothiazolin 0.024 SodiumOmadine 1.300 Anionic Fluorosurfactant 0.015 Silicone Emulsion 0.010

Antimicrobial efficacy of the formulations disclosed in Tables 1 and 4were further tested using the below mentioned “Application” proceduresand JIS Z2801 Bacterial Challenge. It should be noted that ComparativeExample 1 in Table 3 was unable to be applied to a substrate and/ortested for antimicrobial efficacy because of this formulation'sconsistency, which was likely attributed to the adverse cationic/anionicreaction of the PHMB and acrylic polymer.

Application

A—Bench testing

For the antimicrobial efficacy test(s), 3 coats of a 25% nonvolatilesolids, conventional, floor finish were initially applied at a rate of2000-3000 sqft/gal with cheesecloth. Next, the antimicrobial sacrificialfloor finish (e.g., the formulation of Table 1) or the formulation inTable 4 (i.e., Comparative Example 2) was applied after the final coatof conventional floor finish with a 2″ high density foam brush atroughly 4-13 grams per square foot and allowed to dry.

B—Floor Application

Three coats of a 25% nonvolatile solids, conventional, floor finish wereapplied to a stripped VCT floor at a rate of 2000-3000 sqft/gal with amicrofiber floor finish flat mop. Next, the antimicrobial sacrificialfloor finish (e.g., the formulation of Table 1) or the formulation inTable 4 (i.e., Comparative Example 2) was applied after the final coatof conventional floor finish with a microfiber floor finish flat mop at1000-1100 sqft/gal and allowed to dry.

Test Results

Testing was conducted according to the JIS Z2801 Bacterial Challenge.Specifically, the formulation of Table 1 and a control were applied toseparate (but identical) floor surface(s)/substrate(s) and allowed todry (cure) thereby forming a film having approximately 0.33 milsthickness on the outermost surface of the floor surface/substrate. Thecontrol was identical to the formulation shown in Table 1 but excludedPHMB (i.e., the antimicrobial active agent). Each floorsurface/substrate had an initial bacteria concentration of 8.2×10⁴CFU/sample E. coli ATCC 8739 (gram negative bacteria) and 6.1×10⁴CFU/sample S. aureus ATCC 6538 (gram positive bacteria) (inoculum)introduced onto the treated surface(s)/substrates (i.e., treated withthe formulation of Table 1 or treated with the control) and bacteriallog reductions were measured at 2, 6, and 24 hour increments during theJIS Z2801 Bacterial Challenge.

On the substrates treated with the formulation of Table 1, a 4.36 logreduction was observed for E. coli at 2 hours post-application of theinoculum to the treated substrate, a 4.44 log reduction was observed forE. coli at 6 hours post-application of the inoculum to the treatedsubstrate; and a 5.40 log reduction was observed for E. coli at 24 hourspost-application of the inoculum to the treated substrate. In additionto the log reduction observed for gram negative bacteria, gram positivebacteria log reductions were concurrently observed on the samesubstrates. For example, a 4.50 log reduction was observed for S. aureus(gram positive bacteria) at 2 hours post-application of the inoculum tothe treated substrate; a 5.47 log reduction was observed for S. aureusat 6 hours post-application of the inoculum to the treated substrate;and a 6.26 log reduction was observed for S. aureus at 24 hourspost-application of the inoculum to the treated substrate. Bacterialviability for the above discussed substrate(s) treated with theformulation of Table 1 was as follows: E. coli was 1.3×10¹ CFU for 2hours, 3.4×10¹ CFU for 6 hours, and 6.3×10¹ CFU 24 hourspost-application of the inoculum to the treated substrate, and S. aureuswas 1×10¹ CFU for 2 hours, at 6 hours, and 24 hours post-application ofthe inoculum to the treated substrate.

The substrates treated with the control demonstrated no bacterial logreductions. Instead and as expected, bacterial CFUs increased. Bacterialviability of the substrate treated with the control was as follows: E.coli was 3.1×10⁵ CFU at 2 hours post-application, 9.4×10⁶ CFU at 6 hourspost-application, and 1.6×10⁷ CFU at 24 hours post-application, and S.aureus was 3.1×10⁵ CFU at 2 hours post-application, 2.9×10⁶ CFU at 6hours post-application, and 1.8×10⁷ CFU at 24 hours post-application ofthe inoculum to the floor surface treated with the control.

The substrate treated with the formulation of Table 1 was furthersubjected to detergent scrub resistance testing to determine theformulation's resistance to friction and durability while concurrentlyretaining antimicrobial efficacy. To test detergent scrub resistance,the Gardner scrub test was used, which included brushing/stroking thesubstrate with an unweighted hog bristle brush with a neutral pH, alkyldimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride detergent cleaner for 100 cycles at 25cycles/minute. During the Gardner scrub test, 100 strokes with thedetergent represented 100 cleaning cycles. During the course of theGardner scrub test, the antimicrobial efficacy of 3.85, 5.75, and 4.2log reduction for E. Coli at 2, 6, and 24 hours and 4.27, 5.47, and 4.69log reduction for S. aureus at 2, 6, and 24 hours remained stable whilethe comparative example(s) exhibited a zero log reduction when scrubbed.Bacterial viability of the substrate treated with the formulations ofTable 1 subjected to scrub testing was as follows: E. coli concentrationwas 4.3×10¹ at 2 hours post-application, 1.7×10¹ at 6 hourspost-application, and 9.8×10² at 24 hours post-application, and S.aureus was 1.7×10¹ at 2 hours, 1.0×10¹ at 6 hours, and 3.7×10² at 24hours post-application. These results demonstrated that theantimicrobial agent was stably bound in the film (formed by theformulation of Table 1), was durable, and maintained antimicrobialefficacy while subjected to frictional force(s) for extended periods oftime.

Instead of testing antimicrobial efficacy using the JIS Z2801 BacterialChallenge, substrates were treated with the formulation of Table 2 or acontrol formulation (identical to the formulation of Table 2 butexcluding PHMB) and were tested according to the EPA's Copper Method(i.e., proposed “Protocol for the Evaluation of Bactericidal Activity ofHard, Non-porous Copper Containing Surface Products”—awaiting finalapproval as of Apr. 22, 2017). Seehttps://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-02/documents/copper_and_copper-alloy_surface_protocol_revised_012916.pdf.

The formulation from Table 2 or the control formulation were applied toseparate (but identical) floor surfaces/substrates at 4 g/sqft (950-1000sqft/gal) over 3 coats of iShine—25% NVS floor finish applied at2000-3000 sqft/gal/coat and allowed to dry, resulting in a film/coatingof 0.4-0.6 mils in thickness on the treated substrate. Testmicroorganisms (P. aeruginosa ATCC: 15442 and S. aureus ATCC 6538) wereeach grown in tryptone soy broth (TSB) for 18-24 hours. Next, eachculture was diluted to the target concentration and then supplementedwith the tri part (bsa, yeast, mucin) soil load. Next, the treated floorsurfaces were inoculated in staggered intervals, with 0.020 ml (9.40×10⁵CFU/sample P. aeruginosa ATCC 15442 and 3.57×10⁵ CFU/sample S. aureusATCC 6538) of the test culture, and contact times were initiatedimmediately after inoculation.

Treated substrates (substrates treated with the formulation of Table 2or a control) having the inoculum placed thereon were allowed to sit forthe desired contact times (i.e., 1 hour, 2 hours, and 4 hour timeincrements). After each respective contact time, the substrates wereaseptically harvested in 20 ml of neutralizer according to the EPACopper Method, and bacterial growth was subsequently measured.

No log reduction in bacterial growth was observed on the controlsubstrates treated with the inoculum. However, on the substrates treatedwith the formulation of Table 2, a 3.3 log reduction was observed for P.aeruginosa, at 1 hour post-application of the inoculum on the treatedsubstrate, a 3.62 log reduction was observed for P. aeruginosa at 2hours post-application of the inoculum on the treated substrate; and a4.43 log reduction was observed for P. aeruginosa at 4 hourspost-application of the inoculum on the treated substrate. In additionto the log reduction observed for gram negative bacteria, gram positivebacteria log reductions were concurrently observed on the samesubstrates. For example, a 3.11 log reduction was observed for S. aureus(gram positive bacteria) at 1 hour post-application of the inoculum onthe treated substrate; a 3.27 log reduction was observed for S. aureusat 2 hours post-application on the inoculum to the treated substrate;and a 3.53 log reduction was observed for S. aureus at 4 hourspost-application of the inoculum on the treated substrate. Bacterialviability for the above discussed substrate(s) treated with theformulation of Table 2 was as follows: P. aeruginosa was 4.73×10² CFUfor 1 hour post-application of the inoculum on the treated substrate,2.25×10² CFU for 2 hours post-application of the inoculum on the treatedsubstrate, and 3.47×10¹ CFU for 4 hours post-application of the inoculumon the treated substrate, and S. aureus was 2.76×10² CFU for 1 hourpost-application of the inoculum on the treated substrate, 1.9×10² CFUfor at 2 hours post-application of the inoculum on the treatedsubstrate, and 1.05×10² CFU for 4 hours post-application of the inoculumon the treated substrate.

Storage Stability

After conducting the above mentioned bench testing and floor applicationtesting, the formulations of Tables 1 and 2 were subjected to storagestability testing conducted at 120° F. for 30 days. This testing notonly simulated hot storage tolerance, but also long term storage at roomtemperature. The formulation of Table 1 exhibited a viscosity increasewell over 100% indicating chemical instability when exposed to hightemperature(s) for a prolonged time period. During storage stabilitytesting, viscosity of the formulation increased to well above 200 cP. Itshould be further noted that if viscosity of a floor finish increasesabove 10 cP, the floor finish cannot be properly applied to the floorand cannot obtain the required finished film aesthetics.

In contrast to the formulation of Table 1, the formulation of Table 2exhibited adequate storage tolerance (i.e., stability), includingmaintaining a viscosity of 10 cP or less, when subjected to storagestability testing conducted at 120° F. for 30 days. Regarding heatstability for the formulation of Table 2, it was further determined thatthe combination of the nonionic oxidized high density polyethyleneemulsion and the cationic oxidized high density polyethylene emulsionprovided these heat stability characteristics while maintaining marresistance and limiting viscosity increase of the formulation of Table2.

The above mentioned test results are generally summarized in Tables Aand B shown immediately below.

TABLE A JIS Z2801 2 hrs 6 hrs 24 hrs Results for E.coli Log₁₀ reduction4.36 4.44 5.40 Substrates ATCC Bacterial 1.3 × 10¹ 3.4 × 10¹ 6.3 × 10¹Treated 8739 viability With S.aureus Log₁₀ reduction 4.5 5.47 6.26Formulation ATCC Bacterial 1.0 × 10¹ 1.0 × 10¹ 1.0 × 10¹ of Table 6538viability 1

TABLE B EPA Copper Method 1 hr 2 hrs 4 hrs Results for P.aeruginosaLog₁₀ 3.30 3.62 4.43 Substrates ATCC reduction Treated 15442 Bacterial4.73 × 10² 2.25 × 10² 3.47 × With viability 10¹ Formulation S.aureusLog₁₀ 3.11 3.27 3.53 of Table ATCC 6538 reduction 2 Bacterial 2.76 × 10² 1.9 × 10² 1.05 × viability 10²Antimicrobial Sacrificial Floor Coating Remover(s)

Shown below in Table 5 is an exemplary antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating remover including water, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (afirst organic solvent), Eastman Omnia™ (CAS Number: 53605-94-0) (asecond organic solvent), Tomadol® 91-6 (nonionic surfactant)(CAS Number:68439-46-3), and Lactic Acid (organic acid) (more particularly L-lacticacid having an 88% purity). This formulation is a concentrated solutionincluding 25.3 wt % actives (i.e., a first and second organic solvent, anonionic surfactant, and an organic acid) and 74.7 wt % water having apH of 2.60. As discussed further below, this concentrated solution wassubsequently diluted to an operable working concentration and applied toa floor treated with the disclosed antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating of Table 1 and compared to Comparative Examples 1 and 2 (inTables 6 and 7) to determine efficacy of each remover for removingantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating of Table 1 from a flooringsubstrate.

TABLE 5 Exemplary Antimicrobial Sacrificial Floor Coating Remover Weight% Water 74.7 Diethylene Glycol Monobutyl 19.3 Ether Eastman Omnia ™ 3.2Tomadol ® 91-6 1.1 Lactic Acid 88% 1.7

Shown below in Table 6 is Comparative Example 1—a comparativeantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover including water,diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, Tomadol® 91-6, and phosphoric acid(inorganic acid). The formulation is a concentrated solution including31.3 wt % actives (i.e., an organic solvent, a nonionic surfactant, andan inorganic acid) and 68.7 wt % water having a pH of 1.1. As discussedfurther below, this concentrated solution was diluted to an operableworking concentration and applied to a floor treated with the disclosedantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating of Table 1 and compared to theExemplary Antimicrobial Sacrificial Floor Coating Remover of Table 5 andComparative Example 2 of Table 7 to determine efficacy of each removerfor removing antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating of Table 1 from aflooring substrate.

TABLE 6 Comparative Example 1 Weight % Water 68.7 Diethylene GlycolMonobutyl 19.9 Ether Tomadol ® 91-6 1.0 Phosphoric Acid (75%) 10.4

Shown below in Table 7 is Comparative Example 2—a comparativeantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover including substantiallythe same chemical components as the Exemplary Antimicrobial SacrificialFloor Coating Remove of Table 5 but excluding the organic acid.Specifically, Comparative Example 2 includes water, diethylene glycolmonobutyl ether (a first organic solvent), Eastman Omnia™ (CAS Number:53605-94-0) (a second organic solvent), and Tomadol® 91-6 (nonionicsurfactant). This formulation is a concentrated solution including 34.1wt % actives (i.e., a first and second organic solvent, and a nonionicsurfactant) and 65.9 wt % water having a pH of 5.9. As discussed furtherbelow, this concentrated solution was diluted to an operable workingconcentration and applied to a floor treated with the disclosedantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating of Table 1 and compared to theExemplary Antimicrobial Sacrificial Floor Coating Remover of Table 5 andComparative Example 1 of Table 6 to determine efficacy of each removerfor removing antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating of Table 1 from aflooring substrate.

TABLE 7 Comparative Example 2 Weight % Water 65.9 Diethylene GlycolMonobutyl 22.0 Ether Eastman Omnia ™ 11.0 Tomadol ® 91-7 1.1Dilution of Antimicrobial Sacrificial Floor Coating Remover(s)

Each of the concentrated solutions (shown in Tables 5-7) weresubsequently diluted to a working concentration for application to andto further observe efficacy of removing the antimicrobial sacrificialfloor coating of Table 1 from floors/flooring substrates. Specifically,each concentrated solution was diluted with 1 part concentrated solutionto 5 parts water (1:5) and mixed to obtain a homogeneous workingsolution. The pH of the diluted Exemplary Antimicrobial SacrificialFloor Coating Remover of Table 5 (working solution) was 2.8. The pH ofthe diluted Comparative Example 1 of Table 6 (working solution) was 1.6.The pH of the diluted Comparative Example 2 of Table 7 (workingsolution) was 7.4.

Application of Diluted Antimicrobial Sacrificial Floor CoatingRemover(s)

After obtaining working solutions for each of the formulations in Tables5-7, each working solution was applied to a flooring substratepreviously treated with the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating ofTable 1 and 2. Specifically, the flooring substrate included a 0.33 milantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating applied over three coats of aconventional, zinc crosslinked floor finish.

Each working solution was applied to a floor substrate having theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating at 0.33 mil thickness for 5minutes (dwell time). Post-application and allowing for the abovementioned dwell time, the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating of theflooring substrate treated with the working solution of the formulationfrom Table 5 swelled to approximately 1.188 mil thickness and wassubsequently removed by manual scrubbing with a scrubbing pad for 3-5seconds/sqft. This process could be repeated as desired, and theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating of Table 1 and 2 could then bereapplied to the flooring substrate if desired.

Unlike the working solution using the exemplary antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating remover of Table 5, each working solutionsusing Comparative Example 1 and 2 was ineffective for removing theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating from the flooring substrate.Specifically, Comparative Example 1 attacked the sacrificialantimicrobial floor coating, but did not allow lifting or abrading offthe substrate. The film became cloudy and clearly reacted with theremover, but removal of the film was not possible/achieved. ComparativeExample 2 did not exhibit any change in appearance or removal. After thedwell and scrub, the coating was completely intact, as if no removal wasattempted.

The foregoing description provides embodiments of the invention by wayof example only. It is envisioned that other embodiments may performsimilar functions and/or achieve similar results. Any and all suchequivalent embodiments and examples are within the scope of the presentinvention and are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingcomposition comprising: (a) an acrylic polymer that is not an anionicacrylic polymer; (b) a nonionic wax; (c) a cationic wax; and (d) anantimicrobial agent that includes a cationic alkyl biguanide or saltthereof, wherein: the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingcomposition has a pH of less than 7, and the antimicrobial sacrificialfloor coating composition is adapted to form a clear, thin film coatinghaving a thickness ranging from 0.2 mils to 1.1 mils that exhibitscontinuous antimicrobial properties from full cure on a floor surface upto 1 year post-application to the floor surface at a minimum contacttime of 1 hour.
 2. The antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingcomposition of claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating composition is adapted to exhibit a log reduction of from 3.3 to6 for gram negative bacteria and a log reduction of from 3.11 to 6.3 forgram positive bacteria after full cure on the flooring surface and at aminimum contact time of 1 hour with the coating composition.
 3. Theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition of claim 1, whereinthe antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition is heat stableand maintains a viscosity ranging from 4 to 6 cP when exposed to 120° F.for 20 to 30 days.
 4. The antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingcomposition of claim 1, wherein the nonionic wax is a nonionic alkylenepolymer.
 5. The antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition ofclaim 4, wherein the nonionic wax is a high density polyethylene orderivative thereof, a high density polypropylene or derivative thereof,or a combination thereof.
 6. The antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingcomposition of claim 5, wherein the nonionic wax is an oxidized highdensity polyethylene at a concentration of between 2.5 wt % to 8 wt % inthe antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition and has amolecular weight ranging between 9000 to 10,000 g/mol.
 7. Theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition of claim 1, whereinthe cationic wax is a cationic alkylene polymer.
 8. The antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating composition of claim 7, wherein the cationicalkylene polymer is an oxidized high density polyethylene, an oxidizedhigh density oxidized polypropylene, or a combination thereof.
 9. Theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition of claim 8, whereinthe cationic alkylene polymer is a cationic oxidized high densitypolyethylene at a concentration of between 2.5 wt % to 8.0 wt % in theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition and has a molecularweight ranging from 1,000 to 50,000 g/mol.
 10. The antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating composition of claim 1, wherein the cationicalkyl biguanide or salt thereof is polyhexamethylene biguanide,polyaminopropryl biguanide, or a combination thereof.
 11. Theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition of claim 10, whereincationic alkyl biguanide or salt thereof ranges from 0.4 to 1 active wt% in the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating.
 12. The antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating composition of claim 1, wherein theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating does not include crosslinkingagents and is not polymerizable during or post-application to a floorsurface.
 13. The antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition ofclaim 1, wherein the antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating compositionconsists of: (a) the acrylic polymer, is a cationic acrylic polymer at aconcentration ranging from 30 to 40 wt % of the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating composition; (b) the nonionic wax at aconcentration ranging from 2.5 to 8 wt % of the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating composition, (c) the cationic wax at aconcentration ranging from 2.5 to 8 wt % of the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating composition; (d) the antimicrobial agent beingpresent at a concentration of up to 4 wt % of the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating composition; (e) water at a concentrationranging from 30 to 65 wt % of the antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating composition; and (f) at least one additive, wherein: theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition has a pH of lessthan
 7. 14. The antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition ofclaim 13, wherein the cationic acrylic polymer is either a homopolymeror a co-polymer.
 15. The antimicrobial sacrificial floor coatingcomposition of claim 13, wherein the cationic acrylic polymer is atleast comprised of polymerized methyl methacrylate monomeric units. 16.The antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition of claim 13,wherein the cationic acrylic polymer is a co-polymer comprised ofpolymerized methyl methacrylate and styrene monomeric units.
 17. Theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition of claim 13, whereinthe antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition exhibits a logreduction of from 3.3 to 6 for gram negative bacteria and a logreduction of 3.11 to 6.3 for gram positive bacteria after full cure onthe flooring surface and at a minimum contact time of 1 hour with thecoating composition.
 18. A kit comprising: (i) an antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating composition in a first container, theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition having a pH of lessthan 7 and comprising: (a) a cationic acrylic polymer; (b) a nonionicwax; (c) a cationic wax; and (d) an antimicrobial agent that includes acationic alkyl biguanide or salt; and (ii) an antimicrobial sacrificialfloor coating remover in a second container, the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating remover being acidic and comprising: (a) anorganic solvent at a concentration ranging from 17 wt % to 30 wt % ofthe antimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover; (b) a nonionicsurfactant at a concentration ranging from 0.5 wt % to 5 wt % of theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover; and (c) an organic acidat a concentration ranging from 1 wt % to 5 wt % of the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating remover.
 19. The kit of claim 18, wherein theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating remover further comprises water.20. The kit of claim 19, wherein the antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating remover has a zero volatile organic compound (0 VOC) content.21. The kit of claim 18, wherein the antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating composition consists of: (a) the acrylic polymer, is a cationicacrylic polymer at a concentration ranging from 30 to 40 wt % of theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition; (b) the nonionicwax at a concentration ranging from 2.5 to 8 wt % of the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating composition, (c) the cationic wax at aconcentration ranging from 2.5 to 8 wt % of the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating composition; (d) the antimicrobial agent beingpresent at a concentration of up to 4 wt % of the antimicrobialsacrificial floor coating composition; (e) water at a concentrationranging from 30 to 65 wt % of the antimicrobial sacrificial floorcoating composition; and (f) at least one additive, wherein: theantimicrobial sacrificial floor coating composition has a pH of lessthan
 7. 22. The kit of claim 21, wherein the cationic acrylic polymer iseither a homopolymer or a co-polymer.
 23. The kit of claim 21, whereinthe cationic acrylic polymer is at least comprised of polymerized methylmethacrylate monomeric units.
 24. The kit of claim 21, wherein thecationic acrylic polymer is a co-polymer comprised of polymerized methylmethacrylate and styrene monomeric units.